Generally, plastics have chemically inert and nonporous surfaces with low surface tensions. This makes them nonreceptive to bonding with inks, adhesives, coatings, and other substrates. Corona treaters, Plasma treaters and Flame treaters improve the adhesion of plastics.
Polyethylene and polypropylene for example have very low surface energy. Pretreatment of these and other engineered plastics improves bonding prior to printing, coating, and laminating. The best type of surface treater for your application will depend on several variables.
If your application requires spot treatment of an object, air plasma and flame systems can be mounted in a stationary position or integrated with a robot for precise treatment patterns. Candidates for this type of surface treatment include injection molded, blow molded, and thermoformed parts. ABS, ASA, EPDM, EVA, HDPE, LDPE, PC, PE, PET, PMMA, PP, PS, PU, PVC, PBT and TPU are materials that have proven receptive to these types of surface treatments.
For most web and film applications corona treaters are widely used. For higher and longer lasting treatment levels atmospheric plasma with variable chemistry is employed. Flame treaters are effective on high speed lines.
Enercon can help you determine which technology is best for your application with a free consultation and laboratory trial.
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